500 thousand years ago (ka): Shelter construction [1] 500–250 ka: Controlled fire and sterilization of food and water (cooking) in East Africa[2] 400 ka: Pigments in Zambia [3] 400 ka: Spears in Germany [4] 160–40 ka: Burial[5] 140 ka: Bone tools in Africa (see Blombos Cave)...